Therapeutic exercising apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use which moves the limbs of a patient in a cross-pattern crawling motion. The apparatus is power driven and a clutch is provided to protect the patient from the application of excessive forces. The apparatus is adjustable to vary the length of movement of the limbs of the patient and to support patients of varying sizes ranging from infants to adults.

United States Patent 1 Reed [54] THERAPEUTIC EXERCISING APPARATUS [76]Inventor: John M. Reed, 12 Magnolia Street,

CentraliaJll. 62801 [22] Filed: June 11, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 152,045

[52] US. Cl. ..128/25 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A61h 1/02 [58] Field of Search"128/24, 25 R, 33;

[56] I References Cited UNITED, STATES PATENTS 3,363,335 1/1963 Burhns..l28/25R H us If if [4 1 May 29, 1973 3,362,090 1/l968 Adam ..128/25 RPrimary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Parker, Plyer & McEachran[57] ABSTRACT An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use which movesthe limbs of a patient in a cross-pattern crawling motion. The apparatusis power driven and a clutch is provided to protect the patient from theapplication of excessive forces. The apparatus is adjustable to vary thelength of movement of the limbs of the patient and to support patientsof varying sizes ranging from infants to adults.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 1 THERAPEUTIC EXERCISING APPARATUS SUMMARYOF INVENTION This invention is concerned with an exercising apparatusfor therapeutic use and more particularly with an apparatus for treatingpatients suffering from the effects of brain damage.

It is now generally recognized that patients, and especially youngchildren, suffering from brain damaging diseases or illnesses such asCerebral Palsy can be helped by treatment which imposes a pattern ofmovement or exercises upon a patients limbs. A particularly helpfulexercise in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy is a cross-pattern crawlingmotion. This is defined as a movement in which the arm on one side ofthe patient is out-stretched while the opposite leg is bent into akneeling position.

An object of this invention is an exercising apparatus which willrepeatedly impose cross-pattern crawling motions upon a patient;

Another object is an exercising apparatus that may be easily adjusted toaccommodate an adult or a child.

Another object is an exercising apparatus in which the amount ofmovement of the limbs of a patient may easily be varied. 1

Another object is an exercising apparatus which protects a patientagainst the application of excess force. Another object is an exercisingapparatus which may be adapted for applying a creeping pattern as wellas a crawling pattern to a patient.

Another object is an exercising apparatus which may be used tomanipulate less than all of the limbs of a patient.

Other objects may be found in the following specification, claims anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated more orless diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theexercising apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the patient support platform;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1 with parts omitted for clarity ofillustration;

FIG. 4 is a view looked down on the platform moving mechanism of theexercising apparatus;

in phantom lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The exercising apparatus 11 ofthis invention includes a frame 13 of generally rectangular crosssectionmounted on rollers 15. A patient support platform 17 is positioned abovethe top of the frame on a vertically extending support 19. The support19 is mounted ona scissor jack 21 which is operated by a crank 23extending outwardly of one end of the frame.

Four motion platforms 31, 33, 35 and 37 (FIG. 3) are mounted on top ofthe frame 13 and beneath the patient support platform 17. A motionplatform is located in each quadrant of the top of the frame and theysurround the vertical support 19 which is more or less centered in theframe. Motion platforms 31 and 33 are located at one end of the frameand are intended to support the arms of a patient, while motionplatforms 35 and 37 are located at the other end of the frame and areintended to support the legs of a patient. As is most clearly shown inFIG. 3 of the drawings, motion platforms 31 and 37 are located on oneside of the longitudinal center line of the frame and motion platforms33 and 35 are located on the other side of the center line of the frame.A pair of sleeves 39 are fastened to the underside of each platform. Thesleeves telescope over tubular guides 41 which extend the length of thetable and are arranged with two tubular guides on each side of thelongitudinal center line of the frame. The platforms and their sleevesare mounted on the tubes 41 for reciprocal movement along the length ofthe frame.

An electric drive motor 51, which in this embodiment may be a one-thirdhorsepower variable speed motor, is mounted on the frame and connects toa speed reducer 53. An output sprocket 55 on the speed reducer 53 drivesa sprocket 57 connected to a crossshaft 59 by means of a chain drive 61.An adjustable spring tension, friction type clutch 63 connects one endof the cross-shaft 59 to a stub shaft 65 on which is mounted a drivewheel 67. The drive wheel oscillates a driven wheel 69 through means ofa rod 71 which is pivotally connected at its ends to the drive wheel 67and driven wheel 69. Pivot pin 75 connecting one end of the rod 71 todrive wheel 67 extends through a radially extending slot 77 formed inthe wheel to permit adjustment of the throw of the rod 71.

Driven wheel 69 is secured to shaft 81. Also mounted on shaft 81 andsecured thereto are oscillating wheels 83 and 85. Drive cable 89 has itsopposite ends pivotally connected to oscillating wheel 83 by means ofanchor pins 91 and 93. The anchor pins extend from one side of theoscillating wheel and are located near the periphery of the wheeldiammetrically opposite to each other. Drive cable 95 is pivotallyconnected to oscillating wheel 85 by anchor pins 97 and 99 which alsoextend from one side of the wheel near the periphery thereof and arelocated diammetrically opposite to each other.

Drive cable 89 extends from one of its ends which is pivotally connectedto anchor pin 91, around sheave 103 which is mounted half way up one endof the frame, then upwardly and around sheave 105 which is positioned atthe top of the frame at the end thereof. The cable then extends thelength of the frame and passes around sheave 107 which is spring mountedto the opposite end of the frame. The cable then extends back across thelength of the frame and around sheave 199 which is coaxial with sheave195. The cable passes around sheave 111 which is coaxial with sheave 103and extends back to anchor pin 93.

In a similar manner, cable 95 extends from the anchor pin 97 onoscillating wheel 85, passes around sheave 115 which is mounted at oneend of the frame and then passes upwardly around sheave 1 17 located atthe top of the frame at the end thereof. From sheave 117, the cableextends across the length of the frame and passes around spring mountedsheave 119 which is connected to the opposite end of the frame fromsheave 107. The cable then reverses direction and extends back acrossthe frame and around sheave 121 which is coaxial with sheave 117. Cable95 then extends downward and around sheave 123 which is coaxial withsheave 115 and back to anchor pin 99 on oscillating wheel 85.

The motion platforms are attached to the cables by means of releasableclamps. Each clamp includes a pair of bolts which straddle the cable andthread into a plate located beneath the cable. Platform 31 is connectedto cable 89 by means of clamp 131. Platform 37 is connected to the samecable but on the opposite pass thereof around sheave 107 by clamp 133.Motion platform 33 is connected to cable 95 by clamp 135. Platform 35 isattached to cable 95 on the opposite pass thereof around sheave 119 bymeans of a clamp 137.

Detailed views of the motion platforms 33 and 35 which support the armsand legs respectively of a patient are shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7. Motionplatforms 31 and 37 are similar respectively to platforms 33 and 35 andtherefore are not shown in detail. Mounted on the platform 33 is acushion 141. A hand grip 143 is mounted on the platform 33 next to thecushion and is arranged to pivot about a generally horizontal axis. Awrist cushion 144 is also provided adjacent the cushion 141.

A cushion 145 is mounted on the platform 35. A leg support 147 ismounted on the platform 35 next to the cushion. A push plate 149 ismounted on the platform 35 and extends above the cushion and leg supportwhere it can be engaged by the foot of the patient.

The use, operation and function of this invention are as follows:

In preparing the apparatus for receiving a patient, the height of thepatient support platform 17 is adjusted by rotation of the crank 23. Thepositions of the mofion platforms are adjusted relative to theirrespective cables 89 and 95 after releasing the cable clamps. Theadjustment of the motion platforms will, of course, be guided by thesize of the patient. The platforms will be arranged for reception of apatient with the two platforms on one side of the frame spaced apart andthe two platforms on the other part of the frame located next to oneanother in the manner shown in solid and phantom FIG. 8. This inventionpermits easy adjustment of the positions of the patient support platform17 and the motion platforms, depending on whether the patient is anadult or a child.

The patient is then placed on the support platform 17 with his limbsresting on the motion platforms. The patients arms will be supported onthe cushions 141 and 144 of the platforms 31 and 33 and his legs will besupported on the cushions 145 and leg supports 147 of the platforms 35and 37. It may be necessary or desirable with some patients to providestraps or other retaining means to hold the limbs of the patients to themotion platforms. However, these are not shown in the drawings. For thisdisclosure it will be assumed that the patient will be able to grip thehand grips 143 on the motion platforms 31 and 33 and will be able toplace his feet against the push plates 149 on the platforms 35 and 37.

It may be desirable or necessary in treating certain patients not toexercise one or more of his limbs. An advantage of the exerciseapparatus of this invention is that any one of these motion platformsmay be disconnected without afiecting the movements of the otherplatforms simply by disconnecting its clamping mechanism. The exercisingapparatus may be adjusted to change the patient from a creeping to acrawling motion or vice versa when the machine is in operation simply byraising and lowering the patient support platform 17 through means ofthe crank 23. When the patient support platform 17 is in its loweredposition, the patient spreads his limbs in a creeping pattern. When thepatient support platform 17 is raised, the patients limbs become moreupright to form a correct crawling position.

It is also possible with the exercising apparatus of this invention tochange the size and shape of the motion platforms depending on thepatient and the type of treatment he should receive. For example, thecushions 145 and leg supports 147 on the motion platforms 35 and 37 maybe made higher than the cushions 141 and 144 on the arm supportplatforms 31 and 33 to provide the patient with a more vertical armposition similar to the position a child takes in crawling.

The amount of movement of the motion platforms 31, 33, 35 and 37 canthen be adjusted according to the patients capabilities by moving thepivot pin 75, which attaches the rod 71 to the drive wheel 67, in theslot 77 of the drive wheel. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the amount ofmovement of the platforms will be increased by moving the pivot pin 75radially inwardly in the slot 77 and will be decreased by moving thepivot pin in the opposite direction.

The exercising apparatus is driven by electric motor 51 which in thisinstance is a variable speed motor having a normal rating of 1750 rpm.The combination of the speed reducer 53 and the sprocket ratios turn thedrive wheel 67 at a normal rate of 24 rpm. Since the speed of the motoris variable, the operator can vary the speed from 0 to 35 rpm. or more.The friction clutch 63 can be adjusted to slip in the event the patienthas a muscle spasm to thereby protect the patient from the applicationof excessive force directed against his limbs.

Rotation of the drive wheel 67 will bring about oscillation of thedriven wheel 69. The cable wheels 83 and mounted on the shaft 81 willoscillate with the driven wheel. Oscillation of the cable wheels 83 and85 will move the cables 89 and about their sheaves to oscillate themotion platforms 31, 37 and 33, 35. The cables are arranged so that asplatforms 31 and 37 move away from each other, the platforms 33 and 35are moving towards each other and vice versa. The motion of theseplatforms imposes upon the patient a cross-pattem crawling motion.

The exercising apparatus of this invention may be equipped with a headturning device for the patient. However, in working with childrenafflicted with Cerebral Palsy, l have discovered that they preferfreedom of the head, neck and upper torso rather than the restrictionimposed by a head harness. I have found that I am more successful intreating children if I stand at the front of the apparatus and help thepatient turn his head. The patient soon learns to turn his head andshoulders in time with the movement of the motion platform to therebyperform a perfect cross-pattern crawl. I have also discovered thatchildren afilicted with Cerebral Palsy who do not have their headsrestricted by a harness soon learn to raise up on their hands while themachine is running. This helps them to strengthen their arms, neck andchest muscles.

Whereas, the preferred form of the invention has been described andshown, it should be understood that there are modifications, alterationsand changes which may be made without departing from the teachings ofthe invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be onlylimited by the claims attached hereto.

1 claim: 1. An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use including:

an elongated, generally rectangular frame, a body support for holding apatient in a generally prone position mounted above said frame, meansfor raising and lowering said body support relative to said frame, fourmotion platforms mounted on the top of said frame and below said bodysupport with two platforms positioned on each side of said frame, eachof said motion platforms being adapted to support and guide one limb ofa patient resting on said body support, means supporting each platformfor reciprocal movement lengthwise of said frame, and means forrepeatedly moving the motion platforms in a predetermined pattern inwhich the motion platforms supporting and guiding the limbs on one sideof a patient alternately move toward and away from each other while themotion platforms supporting the limbs on the opposite side of thepatient simultaneously move in the opposite manner to impose upon thepatient a cross pattern crawling motion. 2. The exercising apparatus ofclaim 1 further characterized in that each of said motion platforms isequipped with means for transferring a force applied to the. platformto'a limb of a patient.

3. The exercising apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in thatsaid means supporting each platform for reciprocal movement includestubes mounted on said frame and extending along the length thereof andsleeves attached to said platforms with said sleeves telescoped oversaid tubes.

4. The exercising apparatus of claim ll further characterized in thatsaid means for repeatedly moving said motion platforms includes a cablefor each set of platforms on each side of said frame, each of saidcables being supported on and extending around sheaves mounted on saidframe, each of said cables passing twice under its set of platforms witheach pass of said cable connected to an opposite one of its platforms sothat movement of said cable about its supporting sheaves in onedirection will move the platforms of its set in opposite directions.

5. The exercising apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that theends of each cable are pivotally connected to anchor pins mounted on theside of a driven wheel with the anchor pins being located diammetricallyopposite to each other.

6. The exercising apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in thatsaid driven wheel is connected to said drive wheel by means of a crank.

7. The exercising apparatus of claim 6 further characterized in thatsaid crank is adjustably connected to said drive wheel to vary the throwof said crank.

8. The exercising apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in thatsaid drive wheel is connected to a drive motor through an adjustableslip clutch and a re duction gear train.

9. The exercising apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in thatsaid connections between said cables and said motion platforms includereleasable clamps to permit movement of the platforms relative to thecables to thereby adjust the positions of the platforms relative to thebody support and to one another.

1. An exercising apparatus for therapeutic use including: an elongated,generally rectangular frame, a body support for holding a patient in agenerally prone position mounted above said frame, means for raising andlowering said body support relative to said frame, four motion platformsmounted on the top of said frame and below said body support with twoplatforms positioned on each side of said frame, each of said motionplatforms being adapted to support and guide one limb of a patientresting on said body support, means supporting each platform forreciprocal movement lengthwise of said frame, and means for repeatedlymoving the motion platforms in a predetermined pattern in which themotion platforms supporting and guiding the limbs on one side of apatient alternately move toward and away from each other while themotion platforms supporting the limbs on the opposite side of thepatient simultaneously move in the opposite manner to impose upon thepatient a cross pattern crawling motion.
 2. The exercising apparatus ofclaim 1 further characterized in that each of said motion platforms isequipped with means for transferring a force applied to the platform toa limb of a patient.
 3. The exercising apparatus of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that said means supporting each platform for reciprocalmovement includes tubes mounted on said frame and extending along thelength thereof and sleeves attached to said platforms with said sleevestelescoped over said tubes.
 4. The exercising apparatus of claim 1further characterized in thAt said means for repeatedly moving saidmotion platforms includes a cable for each set of platforms on each sideof said frame, each of said cables being supported on and extendingaround sheaves mounted on said frame, each of said cables passing twiceunder its set of platforms with each pass of said cable connected to anopposite one of its platforms so that movement of said cable about itssupporting sheaves in one direction will move the platforms of its setin opposite directions.
 5. The exercising apparatus of claim 4 furthercharacterized in that the ends of each cable are pivotally connected toanchor pins mounted on the side of a driven wheel with the anchor pinsbeing located diammetrically opposite to each other.
 6. The exercisingapparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that said driven wheel isconnected to said drive wheel by means of a crank.
 7. The exercisingapparatus of claim 6 further characterized in that said crank isadjustably connected to said drive wheel to vary the throw of saidcrank.
 8. The exercising apparatus of claim 7 further characterized inthat said drive wheel is connected to a drive motor through anadjustable slip clutch and a reduction gear train.
 9. The exercisingapparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said connectionsbetween said cables and said motion platforms include releasable clampsto permit movement of the platforms relative to the cables to therebyadjust the positions of the platforms relative to the body support andto one another.